Some days, I feel like I’m doing life on my own. That happens when you’re a single adult. Luckily, those days are rare for me.

Most days, I feel like I have a lot of people in my corner. Supporting me, cheering for me, carrying me through.

Yesterday was the epitome of that. Yesterday is the day I’ll draw from when I’m having a “I feel like I’m doing life on my own” day. Yesterday family and friends from all areas of my life came together, after weeks of lying and sneaking around, to celebrate my upcoming 30th birthday.

Birthday “tweets”

After yesterday, I feel like I’ll be able to choose butterflies a million times. Because to choose butterflies, you need to know people have your back. And I know people have my back.

And because this is my little corner of the internet, I want to say thank you.

To my high school friends, I’m so honoured that we got to grow up together, I can’t imagine who I’d be today without you. I’m proud of the friendship we’ve maintained, it’s so special and unique. And I’m so grateful the nine of us formed this force 15 years ago (yep…15 years, I counted).

To my TMH peeps, you’ve taught me what community meant in a really powerful way. We’ve celebrated amazing things, and walked through some mucky waters together. Thank you for showing me what God’s love looks like in such practical ways.

Twitter bird cake created by my crazy talented friend Natalie

To my family, both immediate and extended, I think we have something special. I love that regular family dinners involve aunts, uncles, cousins, cousins-in-law, and cousins-once-removed. Thank you for making family important.

To my LCL girls, I’m so grateful that, somehow, we all ended up on the same team at such a critical point. I know I’ll never work on a team like that again. I realized that when we were working together and it’s even more true in hindsight.

To my Oki sisters, I know you couldn’t be there in person, but I know you were there in spirit. Thank you for welcoming me with open arms four years ago and showing me the magic of camp.

To Lyndsay and Jen, you two are a fantastic team. I love that you’ve become such great friends. You have both influenced me in ways I can’t even begin to describe.

To Ali, you are amazing. I still can’t believe you flew in for this party. I can’t express how humbling that is. It was so special to me that you were there.

To Katie, on a family tree, we may be cousins, but I’ve always thought of you more of a big sister, especially over the last few years. You are a rock to so many people. You listen like no one I know, you offer the most sage advice and you’re not afraid to tell it like it is, even when it’s not what I want to hear. In so SO many ways, I wouldn’t be who I am today without you. I can truly, absolutely say that.

To my mom, I really have no words to tell you what an amazing mom you are. You are who I aspire to be, both as a woman and one day as a mom. You personify other-centeredness in a crazy powerful way, and I hope you know how loved and cherished you are.

I know this post doesn’t follow any blog-etiquette rules, and is bordering on inappropriate gushing, but I wasn’t able to fall asleep last night without writing it all out.

My cup is overflowing.